"Ever since I saw Star Wars I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life – join the Rebel Alliance! I could not be more excited and honoured to go on this mission with Lucasfilm," said Edwards, who remains in line to direct a pair of sequels to Godzilla.

"Gareth's film-making talent makes him one of his generation's most creative and visionary directors," said Thomas Tull of Godzilla production company Legendary Entertainment. "The plan has always been for Gareth to direct a different film before we started on another Godzilla, but who knew it would a Star Wars instalment? We have a great plan in store for Godzilla fans and I am looking forward to seeing Gareth's imprint on the Star Wars universe."

It has not yet been confirmed which character the new film will focus on, but Disney previously announced a series of spin-off "origins" movies to be released in the gaps between its proposed new Star Wars trilogy. They are expected to centre on figures from the original triptych of films released between 1977 and 1983: Boba Fett, Han Solo and Yoda are considered strong candidates.

JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII, the first Star Wars movie since Disney's $4.05bn purchase of all rights to the long-running space saga in October 2012, is currently shooting at London's Pinewood Studios in preparation for a December 2015 release date.

The studio confirmed earlier this month that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford will return to the roles of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo from the original trilogy. A number of newcomers, including Attack the Block's John Boyega, Lord of the Rings's Andy Serkis and Ingmar Bergman-regular Max von Sydow have also joined the cast.